Regent Park Focus

Hosts: Kai and Shuhita Date:  February 10th, 2020 Topic: Substance Use, Harm Reduction and Community Supports This show, we talked about substance use, focusing on the importance of harm reduction and the specific barriers young mothers who use drugs face when they're looking for support. Harm reduction, for drug use, is defined as an approach, set of strategies, policies or programs that aim to reduce the harm associated with drug-use without requiring abstinence. Harm reduction aims to ensure people who use drugs are treated with dignity and respect and it saves lives. After a conversation about harm reduction and resources that can support you if you’re struggling with drug abuse, Kai and Shuhita were joined in conversation by Tasha from the Jean Tweed Centre in Toronto which is a centre that supports women, and many mothers, with substance use and problem gambling issues.  You can listen to the episode here: https://www.regentparkfocus....

Date:  February 24th, 2020 Hosts:  Kai & Chantal Topic: Growing Up Black In honour of Black History Month, Chantal and Kai hosted a roundtable discussion with special guest Leah about each of their experiences growing up and being black. We talked about the unique types of anti-black racism that exist in Toronto, the medical system, policing and so much more including what it means to love your blackness. Listen here: https://www.regentparkfocus.com/radio/media/jessies/2020-02-24.mp3

On today's Catch da Flava radio show for Tuesday, February 11, 2020, we focused on the topic of Legendary and Iconic Black Figures and Learning Disabilities. Our hosts were Jamelia and Thalia with co-hosts Fazra, and Shajuanah. The young ladies exchanged a series of questions and facts about the two topics. They highlighted the major difference between icons and legends, which is that icons are still alive while legends have already died. Throughout the radio show they also made known the various learning disabilities there were in the school system. They had a very fun and informative program while gaining more knowledge about various aspects of black history and the people who are highly remembered throughout various parts of black history. Our hosts really learned a lot and we hope our listeners did the same. The radio show was a blast and you wouldn't want to miss the next one. https://www.regentparkfocus.com/radio/media/2020-02-11.mp3 Submitted by D...

On Today's Catch da Flava radio show for Tuesday, February 4th, 2020, we had Fazra, Kadeja, David, and Francesa as hosts and we had decided to pick the topic of black history month. Black history month is celebrated in February because it coincided with the birthday of Abraham Lincoln on February 12, also Frederick Douglass on February 14, both of which dates black communities have celebrated together since the late 19th century. We spoke about a few black Canadian’s who are historical for their bravery and inventions, we sadly couldn’t receive a guest so we had a discussion with ourselves. For the other 20 minutes of “Catch da Flava”, we focused on substance/drug abuse. We wanted to enlighten people of the short-term and long-term effects and why drug/substance abuse is very bad for your body. We learned many new things around drug abuse and what can happen to your body when overdosing or even mixing different types of drugs. The reason behind us picking this topic was because we...

On today’s For Your Health radio show for Thursday, January 23, 2020, we focused on eating disorders. We were informed about a very debilitating and deadly disease by our special guest Kaitlyn Axelrod. Today’s hosts were Jessie Fawcett and Loretta Bailey. Our special guest, Kaitlyn Axelrod, is a Program and Outreach Coordinator from Sheena’s Place. Sheena’s place is an eating disorder support centre for individuals over the age of 17 that are impacted by an eating disorder in some way whether it be themselves or a loved one. We discussed the demographics of people with eating disorders as well as the range of participants that Sheena’s Place provides services to. We also discussed what kind of eating disorders exist and their symptomology as well as the signs that parents should look out for in their adolescent children. Further, we discussed the stigma around eating disorders and how it impacts folks seeking recovery. These were just a few of the many areas we covered regarding ea...

On today's Catch da Flava show Tuesday, January 21, 2020, we explored the topic of Climate Change with our hosts Shajuanah and Jamelia and co-hosts Kaila, Thalia, and Fazra. A variety of questions were explored under this topic as the young ladies shared interest, knowledge, and a few laughs. Questions such as: what is climate change? What is global warming? How has the climate changed in the past? And what is the difference between climate change and global warming were tackled. But in reality, can we really do something about Climate Change? The hosts assured the listeners that we could and the answers were that you could reduce your own carbon footprint in lots of simple ways, and most of them will save you money. You could plug leaks in your home insulation to save power, install a smart thermostat, switch to more efficient light bulbs, turn off the lights in the room(s) where you are not using them, drive fewer miles by consolidating trips or take public transit, waste les...

On today's Catch da Flava radio show for Tuesday, January 14, 2020, we focused on two separate but intertwined issues. They were youth mental health and the youth justice system. Our hosts were Shajuanah and Jamelia with co-hosts Kaila, Thalia, and Fazra. Our guests for the mental health segment was Michelle Cauch, a Student Success Advisor at Centennial College and Michelle Galeotalanza, a mental health professional and professor at Centennial College. They discussed what is mental health, why is youth mental health important, why is youth mental health different from the other age groups, what are the major youth mental health issues, where should the youth get help, how can they seek trusting professionals to speak to on issues of mental health? These were just a few of the many interesting topics and questions we discussed. Our guest for the next segment was Rachelle Bloomfield, a staff, leader, and counselor at Peacebuilders. Peacebuilders is a nonprofit organization...

For the first show of the 2020 year, the Catch Da Flava team took on the topic of HIV and its awareness among youth.  Our guest on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, was Shamin Mohamed Jr , the founder of LetsStopAIDs, a youth-driven organization devoted to HIV prevention and exchange. Later Shamin was joined over the telephone by a staff member of LetsStopAIDS. Hosted by Catch da Flava's Fazra, Shejuanah and Thalia the show featured a lively discussion about HIV. We talked about the need to start an organization devoted to HIV, the appropriateness of HIV education to elementary and high school-aged youth, misconceptions on who and how you can get HIV, the importance of regular STD medical check-ups for sexually involved youth, HIV symptoms, the problems with promoting abstinence-only as a form of prevention education, HIV partners, stigma of living with HIV and much more.  Special thanks to Dawit Tibebu for producing the show and identifying the guests. To l...

Date:   November 25th, 2019 Hosts :  Kai, Chantal & Shuhita Topic : Abortion This show was all about abortion. Take a listen as we bust some of the most common abortion myths, talk the importance of being pro-choice and ask a representative from a local abortion clinic, the Cabbagetown Women’s Clinic, questions including all the ones you sent us over social media. Listen Here: To learn more about Jessie’s Centre and/or the Community Education Program, please visit: www.jessiescentre.org . Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @PowerfulXNature

Date:   November 11th, 2019 Hosts :  Chantal & Shuhita Topic : Self-Care Self -care has become a popular idea in the last few years but what does it really mean? I n the latest episode of Powerful by Nature, we talk about what self-care means to us and break down how self-care is more than just bubble baths Listen here: https://www.regentparkfocus.com/radio/media/jessies/2019-11-11.mp3 ____________________________________________________________________________ To learn more about Jessie’s Centre and/or the Community Education Program, please visit: www.jessiescentre.org . Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @PowerfulXNature

Healthy Relationships Nov 05, 2019 This week on Catch da Flava, your hosts Thalia, Jamelia, Shejuanah and Kylie had the pleasure to interview Jasmina from EarlyOn, Child and Family Centre to discuss healthy relationships. The youth acquired a wealth of knowledge from Jasmina. Many important questions about controlling behavior and boundaries were discussed. Moreover, many of the misconceptions of sexual relationships were addressed. On behalf of the group, Thanks again to Jasmina for her time and we would love to have her again soon. Listen to an archive of this episode and more at http://www.radioregent.com.  Listen Here: 2019-11-05 | Download MP3

Financial Literacy Oct 29, 2019 This week of Catch da Flava, your hosts Jamila and Kiley are joined by Ish to discuss some basic financial literacy. The trio has been also joined by Hirani Siva over the phone. Hirani is a part-time Financial adviser and a third-year criminology student at Wilfrid Laurier University. In this episode, many great questions about budgeting, delay of instant gratification and chequing/saving accounts were discussed. Additionally, some of the misconceptions of credit cards were addressed. On behalf of the group, Thanks again to Hirani for her time and knowledge we are looking forward to having her again soon. Listen to an archive of this episode and more at: https://www.radioregent.com. Listen to Podcast: http://www.regentparkfocus.com/radio/media/2019-10-29.mp3

Date:   October 21st, 2019 Hosts :  Shuhita & Kai Guests : Daunette, Lactation Consultant  Topic : Breastfeeding and Chestfeeding! World BreastFeeding Week was in October so we talked about breastfeeding and chestfeeding. Both breastfeeding and chestfeeding refer to the same act but we use chestfeeding to be inclusive to the trans men, trans women and nonbinary people who also nurse their children. There’s a lot of stigma and misinformation around breastfeeding and chest feeding so this show we decided to break it all down. We interviewed Daunette who is working to become a certified lactation consultant to answer all your breastfeeding and chestfeeding questions and then we talked all about our personal experiences nursing Listen here: https://www.regentparkfocus.com/radio/media/jessies/2019-10-21.mp3 ______________________________________________________________________ To learn more about Jessie’s Centre and/or the Community Education Prog...

Federal Election Oct 08, 2019 This week Catch da Flava youth radio show started off with a banger! The hosts Jamelia, Thalia, Shejuanah and Kylie -joined by Ish, discussed the upcoming Federal election and what qualities and goals they wanted to see in the next leader of our beautiful country. Moreover, they debriefed the Federal Election debate for listeners who didn’t get the chance to watch. To hear this amazing radio show, go to the Radio Regent archive at: http://radioregent.com. http://www.regentparkfocus.com/radio/media/2019-10-08.mp3 By: Ishag Ahmed

Date:   September 23 th , 2019 Hosts :  Chantal & Kai Guests : Ulysse Guerrier, Community Health Worker at Taibu Community Health Centre Topic : Sickle Cell Awareness September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month so this show , we talked all about Sickle Cell Disease, treatment, stigma and more. We interview Ulysse Guerrier, a Community Health Worker at Taibu Community Health Centre who runs a Sickle Cell Support Group and Kai talks about her personal experiences as someone living with Sickle Cell Disease. Listen here: https://www.regentparkfocus.com/radio/media/jessies/2019-09-23.mp3 ______________________________________________________________________ To learn more about Jessie’s Centre and/or the Community Education Program, please visit: www.jessiescentre.org . Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @PowerfulXNature TAIBU Community Health Centre is a multidisciplinary, non-for-profit, community led organization established to serve the Black ...

Date:   September 9 th , 2019 Hosts :  Chantal & Rhiannon Guests : Deb, Counselor at Toronto Rape Crisis Centre/Multicultural Women Against Rape Topic : Take Back the Night & Reporting Sexual Assault* *Trigger Warning for Discussions of Sexual Assault & Suicidal Thoughts In the latest episode of Powerful by Nature, your hosts talk about the fight to end sexual violence and violence against women, with a focus on the Take Back the Night movement, and talk about what surviving sexual violence can look like. We talk about where you can get support in Toronto if you have experienced sexual violence and take you step by step through the reporting process. We talk to a survivor about her personal experience surviving and anonymously reporting a sexual assault and then interview Deb, a Counsellor at Toronto Rape Crisis Centre about their crucial services and why Take Back the Night remains a critical feminist movement.  We want every survivor who ...

Welcome this is the 7th and finale Catch Da Flava Youth Radio Show. It is hosted by Iman and Vanessa and Vanessa’s brother Jaden. Andre was not present with us in the radio show because he was working on the Criminal Harassment Video but Andre was with us in spirit for our last radio show. The topic was about Technology and the side effects of too much exposure to it. In the radio show me Vanessa and Jaden discussed possible solutions/countermeasures for technology usage. Although it was our last radio show our group enjoyed broadcasting and loved working here at Regent Park Focus Media Centre and would love to come back here. Listen to Podcast: http://www.regentparkfocus.com/radio/media/2019-08-21.mp3

Date:   August 19 th , 2019 Hosts :  Kai Topic : PXN Celebrates Caribana   Caribana celebrates freedom and the struggle against slavery and Caribbean culture and identity. Join Kai as she explores the history of Caribana, talks about Caribana Toronto and shares tips for anyone interested in playing mas. Listen here: 2019-08-19

This is the sixth radio blog of Catch Da Flava Youth Radio Show hosted by Vanessa, Andre, and Iman. The topic is about Opioid and the opioid epidemic here in Canada. Our guest is Sheena Taha from the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. She gave information about the topic and her opinion about it. This radio show showed the negative side effects of opioid overdoses and how to help others if they are struggling with opioid addiction. This is Iman from Catch Da Flava and hope you tune in for next week's radio show. Listen to Podcast: Date: August 14, 2019 Name: Iman Rajabi

On this weeks radio show we had a discussion about Lifestyle (Veganism Vs Meat Eaters). We had our guests Stephan, Raymondo & Diego speak about their experiences and the different lifestyles they live. On the vegan side we had Elise and Stephan and on the meat-eater side we had Raymondo and Diego. Both sides had GREAT arguments but its still unsolved as to which lifestyle is better. Elise Ardizzi hosted this week's show. I (Xavier Ricketts) and Minerva Navasca did the technical work for the show. Overall I enjoyed it this week and I look forward to my last radio show next week!!! Listen to Podcast: http://www.regentparkfocus.com/radio/media/2019-08-14_2.mp3 Date: August 14, 2019 Name: Xavier Ricketts